If the Governing Body instructed you to take a pill, would you take it?
If the Governing Body instructed you to take a pill, would you take it?

Last weekend congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses all over the world discussed the November 15, 2013 Study Edition of the Watchtower at their meetings.

As reported on this website back in August, this particular issue of the magazine contains the chilling counsel that Witnesses “must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from an objective or human standpoint or not.”

In view of the above jaw-dropping injunction, which completely negates common sense and encourages mindless subservience, one poster set up a test on a Facebook group frequented by Jehovah’s Witnesses to see whether they would agree to follow this counsel to its fullest extent.

The test was worded very simply, as follows…

image-1Within the first 3 hours of the post going up, 23 Facebook users responded. Typically, not everyone was able to give a definitive answer. But of those that did, at least five responded that “yes,” they would take the pill.

yes-answersIt is perhaps noteworthy that of the five who answered “yes,” two did so embracing the likelihood that the “unknown pill” might have a lethal effect.

One female participant in the discussion argued against the premise of the test as follows…

argueIn making this argument, the lady overlooked the fact that taking a pill is not necessarily a negative thing. By far the majority of pills taken around the world every day are taken for the betterment of health, not the reverse.

And lest we forget, the Governing Body already suggests that their wisdom supersedes medical knowledge, at least in the area of blood transfusions.

The wording of the test was flawless. It gave no hint at what the pill would do once taken. It merely asked whether one would take it if instructed to do so by the Governing Body or not. It was a simple yet effective examination of the extent of one’s loyalty.

It should be noted with some relief that an equal number (5) said that “no,” they wouldn’t take the pill. Nevertheless, that five people responded in the affirmative within three hours is a chilling indictment against the mental fortitude and rationality of some Witnesses.

If the Governing Body wants a legion of unthinking drones who will follow their instructions even if potentially hazardous, it appears they have achieved this objective – at least in part.

Let the koolaid drinking commence.

 

new-cedars-signature2

72 thoughts on “Would you take the pill? – A simple Facebook test has shocking results

  • January 22, 2014 at 9:17 pm
    Permalink

    There’s been some renewed paranoia. I commented not long before I left, so maybe about two years ago about the increase of control exerted through the WT, and the elder said, “The brothers are really preparing us for the end. They’re protecting us more than ever before.” So those still in who do notice the tightening and closing of ranks put it down to the Org doing more to ‘protect’ them from ‘Satan’. There is more paranoia now than when I joined in the late 90s.

  • January 22, 2014 at 10:37 pm
    Permalink

    @Rowland Nelken, YOU are right. I do not think this was from God = Love!

    (Numbers 31:15-18) . . .So Moses said to them: “Have YOU preserved alive every female? […] now kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has had intercourse with man by lying with a male. 18 And preserve alive for yourselves all the little ones among the women who have not known the act of lying with a male. . .

  • January 23, 2014 at 2:05 am
    Permalink

    @Hakizamana, Good answer, because proving the sickness is just that simple. To any thinking person it should make them reconsider the whole book.

  • January 23, 2014 at 6:27 am
    Permalink

    Yes, actually, to put it straightforward : I don’t think everything in the Bible we read is inspired by God and not everything inspired by God is in the Bible …

    And indeed, I’m referring to those parts filled with violence and cruelty, and the claim that it all was made with God’s blessing …

    I find much more comfort reading about the wisdom, hope and love in there.

    Cheers

  • January 23, 2014 at 10:54 pm
    Permalink

    I don’t see the problem, this question is biased! People take the flu vaccine every year, we eat foods that we don’t know anything about. We take pills because doctors tell us to. we drink water that is fluoridated. If the Catholic church said to take the pill how many Catholics would have said no? does that mean we should not trust anyone…

    • January 25, 2014 at 2:05 pm
      Permalink

      Vaccines are prescribed by doctors who have had years of training. Vaccines are only let loose after clinical trials lasting years. JW bosses are not professionals in anything. Sure, they appear to have mastered the dark arts of cult mind control and have been fairly canny in the PR department. They have managed to project their sinister little Protestant sect, their destructive and misery making little corner of Christendom, as a respectable and polite group of earnest religious enthusiasts. The internet, as exemplified by this blog, is steadily blowing the cult’s cover and exposing JWdom as it should be seen; as a dangerous and cruel menace.

  • January 24, 2014 at 4:51 am
    Permalink

    I sent an email to my parents about this article, when I first read about it here on Cedar’s blog. My mom’s response (with no reference from me): “Don’t worry… we won’t drink the Kool-Aid.” I wonder if she still feels that way.

    I asked her, “What WOULD you do? I hope you and Dad will discuss what limits you will go to, in obedience to men who claim to speak for Jehovah.”

  • January 24, 2014 at 7:32 am
    Permalink

    I take heart that some there responded with no. Unfortunately they get to say that after reflecting privately on their computers. If these same folks were blindsided at the hall with this in front of their peers I think the result would be tragic. Groupthink would likely kick in and very few if any would not take it. Hopefully the young would bolt for the doors , I should rephrase I hope all would run for the doors. Unfortunately as this demonstrates people would take it even if in their hearts they knew it would be lethal. It’s chilling to the bone but I think we can agree this is what the great 8 are trying to foster amongst the followers. Truly sad.

  • January 25, 2014 at 1:53 pm
    Permalink

    I have to agree with 90% of the information in here and especially how you are not allowed to QUESTION anything
    without fear of being DF’d or ostracized.The pain they bring to families is unreal. I know from experience. As a former Elder for nearly 12 years I saw everything. From “brothers” cheating worldy people in Construction, to Murders, to Molestation, to total control of everyones life including grooming, beards, White shirts, ties, etc. One time my own son wanted to play on the high School baseball team and he was going to team meetings. When the Other Elders found out they told me I would be removed as an Elder if I did not pull him off the team! BC I was setting a POOR example?Sad to say I gave in to the pressure and I regret it to this day. I apologized to my son and have made it up many times. It is just sad to think a Religion can have that much power over people.There are to many other things that happened and to much to go into. In my opinion they are
    just as bad as other people and have the same problems but they try to hide them? Have you ever heard the WT apologize for anything they have prophesied or predicted?

    Never! They blame the “SHEEPLE” for being over anxious. However, they want you to be humble and apologize and repent when you do a perceived wrong. On [paragraph 17 page 20 of the 11/15/13 WT it states we MUST have complete unquestioning Obedience to the GB? Of course they do say “At that time” when the so Called Assyrians Attack Jehovah’s people? So they leave themselves a way out by projecting that Obedience into the future.

    I even helped a family who were broke to stay at my house and the grandfather tried to Molest my 10 year old daughter at the time. Of course he denied it and 2 or 3 witness thing prevailed. I will give the Elders the benefit of the doubt bc it was in the mid 80’s and that kind of stuff was just starting to come out in the news etc, many people did not know how to deal with it. Yes, It is a cult n my opinion. Although they like to clain they are “freedom” loving Christians and go by their conscience that is all a cover up bc they will not allow any JWs to live by their personal conscience.

    • October 13, 2015 at 1:56 pm
      Permalink

      I attended a congregation in phoenix arizona where children were being passed around for pleasure. Where wives were traded for the wkend. Two families were left after the rest were disfellowshipped and the congregation disbanded.
      Then in texas..seems someone mailed letter to the WT, and from the fallout it wasnt a pretty one. I was accused of penning it because it contained info on how the presiding overseer attacked me about adopting a black child and moving into KKKsville tx. He even went so far as to demand i return my son from wense he came. Then a retired traveling overseer bragged to me about how he and his wife cheated the welfare system to get more foodstamps and welfare, i was then attacked for trying to shame them, the congregation, the WT, and God…all that by just telling the truth.

  • January 26, 2014 at 7:16 am
    Permalink

    This FB post is really eye opening. Thanks for reporting on this. JWs are really taking seriously the admonition to “Listen obey and be blessed”

    Some will surely obey with potential dire consequences
    Kate xx

  • February 8, 2014 at 1:01 pm
    Permalink

    This scares the life out of me for a few reasons, because a) I know given the choice to take an unknown pill and swallow it based on faith many thousands would happily do so. And b) because my whole family are still all witnesses and I fear they to would do this thinking it was ‘god’s will’ or some such crock.

    They paint those of us who have left as evil incarnate yet all I am is worried about my family who I love completely.

    • February 8, 2014 at 2:09 pm
      Permalink

      Any crazy pill of instructions that the JW bosses might issue (and have they ever done anything that is not totally barmy? God’s sole agent – bah! humbug!) could hardly involve suicide.

      Jwdom is largely about amassing and augmenting capital value. Living JWs can donate money and free labour. Dead ones, unless they have been coerced into rewriting their wills and making over their entire estate to the Watchtower, cannot.

  • February 8, 2014 at 8:49 pm
    Permalink

    My dad is still an active member, he says the “Society” is having problems with people not being obedient and they are looking for ways to crack down on the people to make them obey. My dad as blindly as he follows them sees the hypocrisy but is the only thing he knows.

  • March 16, 2014 at 8:40 am
    Permalink

    biddog11l

    I’m leary of flu shots and mammograms because of the possible accumulative side-effects of the mercury and radiation, respectively, after ten years. I eat organics, and don’t drink flouridated water. Many Catholics do take the pill–birth control– against the church’s official policy. We each can make informed choices.

    • March 16, 2014 at 9:12 am
      Permalink

      To choose to ignore the benefits of vaccination and mammograms is not an informed choice- it is one based on ignorance and superstition.

      The word ‘organics’ applied to food is ridiculous. All fruit, veg. and meat comes from organisms. All organisms can be described and analysed chemically.

  • March 16, 2014 at 10:12 am
    Permalink

    @biddog11l

    …..although I have nothing against one-time innoculations, such as the the ones taken for traveling or infant polio vaccinations and such.

    @nelken

    I’m simply avoiding the repetitive-annual shots and mamos. I’ve taken baselines and I am still researching the benefits or hype of organics, but in the meantime….you know…

    You die your way; I’ll die my way.

  • March 16, 2014 at 11:46 am
    Permalink

    @nelken

    Here in the states the term “organically grown” refers to the practice of spraying crops with five or six pesticides that are presumably safer than the ones used by the mass producers. So you’re trading a known cancer-causing or flouride-laced chemical for a seemingly better or simply less-studied chemical and, hopefully, reducing the toxic burden over time. Some doctors advise eating certain items like berries only if labeled “organically grown.” Whatever….it’s the current rage here.

  • March 23, 2014 at 8:25 am
    Permalink

    I haven’t been to meetings for some months now, and I didn’t go to the last convention or assemblies, because I’ve finally had the courage to do something about doubts I’ve had for years. They were introducing this ‘blind obedience’ thing more and more when I stopped going, but it’s only now that I’m looking back on it all that I can really see it. I was born into the Witnesses, and I know so many that would just follow anything blindly. I have to admit, I’m scared. I think back to times when my brother, who never got baptized, tried to reason with me, but I refused to see sense. I feel like my whole life’s been a lie. I still live at home with my Witness parents right now but I’m trying to save up to get away to relatives at the other side of the country because I still feel trapped, like the few that I do still consider ‘friends’ from the congregation still believe that this is just a phase and I’ll come back. I’ve only just discovered this website last night and I still feel guilty for reading it – I can’t help it, I’ve been warned against this stuff my whole life – but I’m determined to read through more because your reasoning seems to line up with things that I discovered on my own.

    • March 23, 2014 at 8:52 am
      Permalink

      Hi Nonny well done for having the courage to read other material apart from the orgs. I was the same as you when I came out. So the question to ask yourself whenever you read any website, is does it speak the truth. You will find that Cedars and most other posters on here try very hard to keep to what is true. Cedars always says if you find something that he has been said that is not true let him know and he will correct it. I and many others feel the same way. Hope to read your comments again in the future.

  • March 23, 2014 at 12:06 pm
    Permalink

    @Nonny,
    Like you, I know a few who want to leave home but can’t because of income constraints. They feel fearful, depressed, and powerless. Cheers to you! At least you have a plan. I stopped attending meetings about nine months ago after reading so much nonsense in the WT publications, hearing stupid remarks at the meetings, and observing so much neurotic and judgmental behavior among JWs. One day at the meeting, I just snapped. I am surprised I didn’t leap from my chair and run to the exit, but I knew I had had enough. I began reading the Bible without the publications just to see how it would ‘speak’ to me and websites such as jwfacts, anointedjw, jwstruggle, cedar’s jwsurvey, plus a plethora of secular books. The whole JW thing collapsed, and although I am not happy with the hard facts,  I am not unhappy. A new reality is gradually settling in. These internet sites are providing a sorely needed service….and Cedars is adorable. He works very hard, loves the witnesses, and suffers his own personal anguish.

    I wish you every success.

  • March 27, 2014 at 2:02 pm
    Permalink

    Thanks for your kind words. Over the last few days, I’ve been watching more videos on Youtube exposing the Watchtower, and been reading more of this website and jwfacts. It’s scary just how much I and so many others have been deceived. What are you supposed to do with your life when all this is suddenly blown away? I can’t talk about this with my witness parents or friends, they’d have a fit. I have a few friends who aren’t JWs, and my siblings, and I’ve been trying to talk to them, but I’m finding it really hard to talk. I’m glad there are places like this with you lovely people who I can confide in.

  • June 14, 2014 at 12:07 pm
    Permalink

    the “pill” has already been distributed.
    We have swallowed false teachings for years with dire results for many.-blood transfusion refusal being just one of them. Every member in the congregation being unaware of active sexual predators is another.

  • June 15, 2014 at 4:48 am
    Permalink

    Nonny,

    You ask a valid question, what do we do when we find out our faith is wrong?

    Well, we find some principles that are demonstratably right and we do our best to lead a good life.

    There is no need to throw the baby out with the bath water. Some of Jesus’ moral stands are right, so we keep them, others turn out to be questionable and we decide whether to follow them or not.

    I am an atheist, but I’m not trying to recruit you! You have an amazing brain, with the ability to decide for yourself what is right and wrong. It is up to you to find a path that you can follow.

    I wish you all the best.

    Peace be with you

    Excelsior!

  • August 16, 2014 at 8:47 am
    Permalink

    It is always a mistake to allow someone or an organisation to direct your thinking. There is much in the bible that is of benefit but it needs to be read and understood as an individual anything else outside of what is outside of the bible is dogma and indoctrination.

  • August 28, 2014 at 12:35 pm
    Permalink

    Anyone willing to surrender their will to another, without clear scriptural backing for what is asked for, commits idolatry. Only God has the right to direct our step. We cannot slave for two masters.

  • August 28, 2014 at 12:58 pm
    Permalink

    Deut.6:6,8 reads:

    “These commands that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Tie them as SYMBOLS on your HANDS and bind them on your FOREHEADS.”

    Rev.13:16,17,15 reads:

    “It also forced all people….to receive a mark on their right HANDS or on their FOREHEADS, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.”

    Rev.13:8 tells us that any who receive this symbolic mark of the Beast, are not written in the Lamb’s scroll of life. They have exchanged the commands of God, for the commands of the Beast (Rom.1:25).
    If one dares to “buy and sell” independent of the Beast’s brandmark, by exchanging spiritual provisions outside of the “Beast’s” monopoly; they face a “death” penalty (Rev.13:15) (Rev.3:18; 21:6; Isa.55:1). The faithful defy this tyrannical demand despite that, are then “killed”, and are sealed (Rev.11:7; 6:9,11; 12:11; Mark8:35; Rom.6:5).

  • October 13, 2015 at 1:42 pm
    Permalink

    Would someone kindly explain to me in clear understandable verbage, why the name jim jones springs to mind ???

Comments are closed.